A truly immersive spa experience aims to restore, relax and rejuvenate. This requires more than just an adept therapist, and the spas that get it right recognise that, while you’re there for the treatments, the setting is why you stay. These spas show that they have wellness in their design DNA, in addition to their care menus.

Honouring their Surroundings

Terre Paisible Medical Rejuvenation and Spa in the Franschhoek Valley makes the most of its backdrop of vineyards and olive groves. This splendour has been translated by the interior architects at Tristan du Plessis Studio into spaces that exude tranquility and frame the Simonsberg mountains beyond.

At Bosjes’ Die Stalle spa, designer Liam Mooney and architect Tiaan Meyer transformed the original stables into a sanctuary that pays homage to the farm’s heritage buildings. A courtyard layout and whitewashed walls contain setting- appropriate features (stable doors, oversized brass details and a horse-trough water feature) that allude to its equine origins. The farm as a whole inspires a sensorial approach, with the designers creating visual links to the indigenous gardens and a hydrotherapy pool offering expansive views to the fynbos slopes of the Waaihoek Mountains.

spa, spas, Western Cape, luxury, nature, sanctuary, relax, rejuvenate, wellness, design, interior — Heritage details merge with modern architecture at Bosjes' Die Stalle, Image: Supplied

At Cape Grace, the new Fairmont Spa followed on from the transformation of the hotel with an equally sophisticated design inspired by its setting. This urban sanctuary simultaneously serves as an oasis from the city while drawing inspiration from the ocean, mountain and fynbos floral kingdom.

Stocking local brands seems to be de rigueur too: Fairmont Spa uses Matsimela Home Spa, whose Sotho name means ‘roots’; Bosjes harnesses the healing power of grape vines through the TheraNaka™ and TheraVine™ ranges, produced in the Cape Winelands; and Terre Paisible has organic SA brand Esse in its skincare lineup.

spa, spas, Western Cape, luxury, nature, sanctuary, relax, rejuvenate, wellness, design, interior — Fairmont Spa at Cape Grace channels naturally inspired elements into a sophisticated space, Image: Supplied

Spaces that Soothe

‘Organic’ is a theme throughout the spaces themselves, where the overriding feeling is one of quiet luxury. For Terre Paisible, Tristan Du Plessis carefully chose tactile materials, fluid forms and raw yet reflective surfaces, and soft warm lighting has been used throughout. Die Stalle’s sensory forward interiors use intentional imperfection to celebrate its natural ethos. Traditional klompie pavers are laid in seemingly free fashion, while curved walls and textured stucco surfaces create the feeling of comfort and sensuality.

Fairmont Spa’s palette draws on the ocean and mountain it sits between — with green marble, grounding timber accents and travertine forming a symphony of natural yet luxurious tones and textures.

Inspired by Nature, Backed by Science

But, from the design to the treatment menus (and each has the bells and whistles), these spas have fused nature with cutting- edge science and contemporary design, to offer the best of all worlds. The programme at Terre Paisible extends well beyond the aesthetic to include metabolic and hormonal analysis and advanced medical treatments. From assessing genetic predispositions through DNAlysis™, or a Visia Facial Analysis and InBody Assessment Analysis, you can blend optimisation with relaxation.

spa, spas, Western Cape, luxury, nature, sanctuary, relax, rejuvenate, wellness, design, interior — Fluid forms and luxe, reflective surfaces create a restorative environment at Terre Paisible, Image: Supplied

Die Stalle balances its homage to nature with striking contemporary architectural details — glass doors and stone stacked walls. While at Fairmont Spa, the pièce de résistance is a magnificent rose-tinted salt inhalation room, which channels nature’s wisdom through smart technology and ergonomic design for a restorative sensory experience.

Text by Julia Freemantle